I am an experienced freelance technology journalist. I write for Wired, The Next Web, TrustedReviews and the BBC in addition to Forbes.

I began in b2b print journalism covering tech companies at the height of the dot com boom and switched to covering consumer technology as the iPod began to take off.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Galaxy S5: 2014's Biggest Android Phones

Contrary to popular belief the iPhone 6 is not the only new handset being launched this month. Android purists will be focused on the Nexus 6, but for the masses the big interest is Samsung and the new Galaxy Note 4.

The original Galaxy Note was a game changer when it was released in 2011 and with the Note 3 last year the large format ‘phablet’ hit the mainstream, selling over 10 million units in just two months. Furthermore with smartphone screen sizes getting ever larger phablets are becoming less and less intimidating to transition to and they typically marry their big screens with masses of power and great battery life.

All of which creates a conundrum: phone or phablet? The 4.7-inch Galaxy Alpha is likely to be too small for potential Note 4 owners so my comparison point is the Samsung Galaxy S5 - the biggest selling Android phone on the planet. Let’s put the two head-to-head.

Samsung Galaxy S5 (left) – Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (right)

Display: Galaxy S5 5.1-inches - Galaxy Note 4 5.7-inches

One may be a phone and the other a phablet, but both devices have huge screens. The S5 has increased 0.1-inches compared to the S4, but the Note 4 has retained the same 5.7-inch display as the Note 3. But while the S5 got larger, it maintains the same 1920 x 1080 ‘Full HD’ display as the S4 while Note 4 ups its game to an incredible 2560 x 1440 pixels (also known as ‘QHD’ aka 2k).

Many will rightly question whether the S5 and Note 4’s ‘pixels per inch’ densities of 432 and 550 ppi respectively matter. After all AppleApple defines a ‘Retina display’ (where the human eye can no longer make out the individual pixels) as 326ppi, but this is disputed and many swear they can see the difference – notably Forbes’ contributor Ian Morris in his review of the 2560 x 1440 5.5-inch LG G3.

As for the screens themselves, sadly Samsung has not matched the much anticipated iPhone 6 sapphire display with either device and both use CorningCorning Gorilla Glass 3 instead. Don’t be too put off, Gorilla Glass 3 is currently the toughest material on any handset. Samsung also fits the S5 and Note 4 with Super AMOLED panels which are far brighter than standard IPS displays, though they can also oversaturate colours so it is best to try them in person to see if you’re a fan.

Samsung has (in my opinion, rightly) come in for a lot of criticism in its phone construction and neither the Note 4 or S5 will do a lot to change that.

In my Galaxy S5 review I found its faux-leather plastic back in particular feel cheap and the Note 4 carries on this unwelcome design trait, though it adds metal edges and a metal frame which is a sizeable step in the right direction. Furthermore Note 4 owners will see a premium version of the phablet released which has a metal back, but we await pricing.

Of course the good news with Samsung phones is these somewhat unappealing backs can be swapped and they also provide access to the battery, sim card and memory card slots. For some who like to carry spare batteries around this is a deal maker.

[EDIT] Where the S5 scores highly, however, is its dust and water resistance. This doesn’t mean you can go swimming with it, but it will survive being dropped in a sink of water or even being used in the shower if you need to answer an urgent call. Sadly the Note 4 is neither.

Pity actually. It’s pretty major for me. I was hoping I was wrong, but all hands-on (plus the hidden Korean Samsung page for Note 4) say it’s not water resistant. :( Here is my comparison with Z3: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nd1tq0yl0u3q9om/Note%204%20vs%20Z3.jpg?dl=0

“Meanwhile the Note 3 packs a massive 3GB of RAM compared to 2GB in the S5.” Should be Note 4. Also, under “Materials” you did not mention the Note 4 contains metal edges. “The duo have each increased 0.2-inches compared to their predecessors” The Note 3 was 5.7 so it did not increase the screen size.